Special Session (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Special Session A session of Congress after it has adjourned sine die, completing its regular session. The president convenes special sessions (Article. II. Section. 3.). Also see Lame Duck; Terms of Congress; § 5.30, Terms and Sessions of Congress, in Congressional Deskbook.   US Congress … Read more

Lame Duck / “Lame Duck” Session (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Lame Duck / “Lame Duck” Session When Congress (or either chamber) reconvenes in an even-numbered year following the November general elections to consider various items of business. Some lawmakers who return for this session will not be in the next Congress. Hence, they are informally … Read more

Adjournment sine die (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Adjournment sine die photo credit: KalasMannen Final adjournment of an annual or two-year session of Congress. Adjournment without fixing a definite day for reconvening; literally “adjournment without a day.” A session can continue when, under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, it automatically terminates. Both … Read more

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 20 (Twentieth Amendment – Presidential, Congressional Terms)

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 20 (20th Amendment) Amendment XX. (Presidential, Congressional Terms) Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933. Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3. Section … Read more